Crowds of people basked in the bank holiday sunshine while listening to some of the island’s best brass bands.

The Great Laxey Brass Festival, also known as the ’Prash Laxaa’, saw hundreds of people descend on Laxey to listen to five local brass bands perform in various places throughout the village.

The bands performed throughout the afternoon and entertained the crowds with a variety of music at venues such as the Mines Tavern, the Laxey Glen pavilion and around the base of the miners’ statue, before the groups joined together for a mass performance in the village square.

The bands taking part included the Castletown Metropolitan Band, The Onchan Silver Band, Ramsey Silver Band, Douglas Town Band and Manx Concert Brass.

At the end of the day, awards for the best bands of the day were awarded by Ian Cottier, who judged the event along with the Garff MHKs Daphne Caine and Martyn Perkins.Ian presented the award for most outstanding band to Manx Concert Brass and conductor Ian Clague.

The award for most entertaining band going to Onchan Silver Band and Castletown Metropolitan Silver Band was named as the best presented band.

Organiser Martin Royle said the crowds were well entertained by the standard of music on offer.

’Well the bands brought some fine weather in with them to Laxey,’ said Martin. ’It was a glorious day.

’As ever the music was superb and the five bands, Castletown, Onchan, Ramsey, Douglas, and Manx Concert Brass were sensational entertainment.

’Laxey was full to the brim for the afternoon and the massed band finale in the Village Square was loud, tuneful, and varied with wonderful renditions of ’Everbody Needs Somebody’, ’Baggy Trousers’ by Madness, and the national anthem.

’It was truly another great day out in Laxey.’